SET domain proteins modulate chromatin domains in eu- and heterochromatin (original) (raw)

Abstract.

The SET domain is a 130-amino acid, evolutionarily conserved sequence motif present in chromosomal proteins that function in modulating gene activities from yeast to mammals. Initially identified as members of the Polycomb- and trithorax_-group (Pc-G and trx-G) gene families, which are required to maintain expression boundaries of homeotic selector (HOM-C) genes, SET domain proteins are also involved in position-effect-variegation (PEV), telomeric and centromeric gene silencing, and possibly in determining chromosome architecture. These observations implicate SET domain proteins as multifunctional chromatin regulators with activities in both eu- and heterochromatin – a role consistent with their modular structure, which combines the SET domain with additional sequence motifs of either a cysteine-rich region/zinc-finger type or the chromo domain. Multiple functions for chromatin regulators are not restricted to the SET protein family, since many trx-G (but only very few Pc-G) genes are also modifiers of PEV. Together, these data establish a model in which the modulation of chromatin domains is mechanistically linked with the regulation of key developmental loci (e.g. HOM-C)._

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Dr. Bohrgasse 7, A-1030 Vienna (Austria), Fax +43 1 798 7153, , , , , , AT
    T. Jenuwein & G. Laible
  2. Institute of Genetics, Martin-Luther University of Halle, Domplatz 1, D-06108 Halle (Germany), , , , , , DE
    R. Dorn & G. Reuter

Authors

  1. T. Jenuwein
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  2. G. Laible
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  3. R. Dorn
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  4. G. Reuter
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Jenuwein, T., Laible, G., Dorn, R. et al. SET domain proteins modulate chromatin domains in eu- and heterochromatin.CMLS, Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 54, 80–93 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s000180050127

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